Change speed mechanism



Sept. 28, 1937. A. FoRxcl-ION 2,094,449

CHANGE SPEED MECHAI SM Filed Jan. l2, 1933 4.SheetS-Sheet 1 Sept. 28, 1937. A. FoRlcHoN 2,094,449

CHANGE SPEED MECHANISM Filed Jan. 12, 1933 l 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 36 l if Sept. 28, 1937. A. FoRlcHoN 2,094,449

CHANGE SPEED MECHANISM Filed Jan. 12, 1935 v 4 sheets-sheet s a 520 99 22a 121 /ZZZ L?? 3 ya y f Sept. 28, 1937. A. FoRlcHoN 2,094,449

CHANGE SPEED MECHANISM Filed Jan. 12, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Sept. 28, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CHANGE SPEED MECHANISM Alphonse Forichon, Paris, France Application January 12, 1933, Serial No. 651,331 In Belgium January 18, 1932 My invention relates to variable speed trans- Between driving shaft I and driven shaft 2 mission gears, and especially to those for autothere isprovided an intermediate shaft 3, which mobile vehicles, and to devices for controlling carries atoothed whee14 that is in constant mesh said gears. with a wheel 8 carried by a sleeve III adapted The object of my invention is to provide mechto revolve freely about an auxiliary shaft or 5 anisms of that type that are simple, easy to oper; layshaft II journalled in casing I2. Intermediate. and capable of giving more progressive gear ate shaft 3 also drives, through a feather key, a changings, at least forsome of the gear combiclutch disk I5 provided with a return spring 2i), nations. said disk cooperating with a friction surface I6 Another object of my invention is to provide provided in fly-wheel I1 keyed on driving shaft I, 1u mechanisms of that type that can be controlled Toothed wheels 4 and 8 form a first pair of gears. either automatically or not. On intermediate shaft 3 there is mounted loose To this effect, according to my invention, I a concentric hollow shaft 6 carrying a toothed provide the coupling of the main shafts (driving wheel 'I which is in constant mesh with a toothed l5 shaft, and driven shaft) by means of two pairs wheel 9 integral with said sleeve III. A clutch 15 of gear wheels through two concentric shafts disk I8 adapted to cooperate with a friction surand two clutches. face I9 provided in fly-wheel I1 is keyed, through Another feature of my invention consists in a feather key, on said hollow shaft 6. Toothed the use of means actuated by fluids (electricity, wheels 'I and 9 form the second pair of gears.

rarefied or compressed fluid) for operating the Driven shaft 2 can be coupled with either 20 clutches corresponding to the various gear comintermediate shaft 3 or hollow shaft 6 through binations, and of means for ensuring the autoa DiniOn I3 Slidably keyed 0n driven Shaft 2 matic distribution of said fluids in accordance and the longitudinal position of which is conwith the load of the engine and the speed of trolled through a hand lever 25. Said pinion revolution of the driving shaft or of the driven I3 is provided with dogs I4, which can be engaged 25 shaft. between corresponding dogs 5 provided in toothed Preferred embodiments of my invention will wheel 4 when the pinion occupies the position be hereinafter described with reference to the shown in dotted lines. In its other operative accompanying drawings, given merely by way of position, pinion I3 meshes with a gear wheel 26 example, and in which: integral with sleeve I0. When pinion I3 is in its 30 Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic vertical sectional view intermediate position (shown in solid lines) the of a variable speed transmission according to a gear box is in neutral.

rst embodiment of my invention; The first gear is obtained when pinion I3 is Fig. 2 is a similar view corresponding to a in mesh with gear wheel 26 and the clutch I8-I9 second embodiment; is let in. The motion of driving shaft I is then 35 Figs. 3 and 4 are detail views showing moditransmitted to driven shaft 2 through clutch cations of the embodiment of Fig. 2; Ill-I9, hollow shaft 6 and the pairs of gear Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic vertical sectional view wheels 1 9 and 2li-I3. of a variable speed transmission device according Second gear is obtained for the same position to a third embodiment of my invention; of pinion I3 but by releasing clutch I8-I9 and 40 Fig. 6 is a similar view corresponding to a applying clutch I5-IB, the motion being then fourth embodiment of my invention. transmitted through intermediate shaft 3 and Fig. 1 shows a four speed gear-box in which the pairs of gear wheels 4-8 and 26-I3. the passing from first gear to second gear and In order to change into third gear, pinion I3 -5 conversely and also the passing from third gear is caused to slide until dogs 5 and I4 are in 45 to fourth gear and conversely are automatically mesh. Clutch I5I6 is disengaged and clutch controlled by the variations in the working con- I8--I9 is let in, the motion being transmitted ditions of the engine, this result being obtained through hollow shaft 6 and the pairs of gear through the action of a controlling or regulating wheels 'I-9 and 8-4.

"0 device of the type described in my U. S. Patent Fourth gear is obtained, for the same position 50 No, 17,839,145. On the contrary, the passing from of pinion I3, by disengaging clutch I8-I9 and second to third gear is obtained by operating a letting in clutch I5--I6, the motion being transhand lever. In this gear box unclutching is mitted through direct drive between shafts 3 effected through a pedal or a similar organ in and 2.

the usual manner. 'I'he clutches are operated by displacing lever 55 v22 supported on a pivot 23, said lever cooperating with spring 20, said displacement being optionally obtained either manually or, as shown in Fig. 1, in an automatic manner in accordance with the Working of the engine and under the control of a. regulating device 36 responsive to variations in the suction existing in induction pipe or inlet conduit 33 between the throttling organ 34 of the carburetter and the engine. That suction acts, through conduit 35, on a diaphragm 36 urged in the opposite direction by a lever 11 and a spring 45. A second spring 83 acts on lever 11 through the intermediary of a lever 82 and of a rod 8| which is inclined in a downward direction when diaphragm 36 is at the bottom of its stroke or is not sucked in. On the contrary, when diaphragm 36 is at the top of its stroke or is sucked in, rod 8| is inclined in an upward direction. It results from that arrangement that diaphragm 36 is more strongly urged in a downward direction when it is in its lower position than when it is in its upper position. Furthermore, the displacement of diaphragm 36 in an upward direction is produced by a suction that is higher than that which is suiiicient for maintaining it in its upper position.

Diaphragm 36 operates a slide valve 31 moving in a cylinder 38 and which connects a conduit 40 with the atmosphere, through hole 39, when diaphragm 36 is in its lower position. On the contrary, when diaphragm 36 is sucked in upwardly by the action of the suction, conduit 40 is connected with conduit 35. A

The suction, transmitted through conduits 35 and 40 acts in a chamber 4I provided with an elastic membrane 42. Said membrane is connected, through a connecting rod 43, with operating lever 22, which is directly urged by return spring 44. When the engine is running at a high speed of revolution, the suction sucks in first diaphragm 36 and then membrane 42. The lower end of lever 22 is pushed toward the left hand side of Fig. 1, and drives, against the action of springs 44 and 20, the whole of disks I8 and I6, thus disengaging clutch I8-I9 and applying clutch |5- I6. This changes either into second gear or into top gear, according to the position occupied by sliding pinion I3.

When, on the contrary, the speed of revolution of the engine is lower, the suction at 33 decreases in consequence, and diaphragm 36 moves to its lower position sothat the atmospheric pressure is again established in conduit 40 and chamber 4|. Lever 22 is then brought by springs 44 and 20 to the position shown in Fig. 1, for which clutch I5-I6 is disengaged, and clutch |8--I9 is let in, which changes into either first or third gear, according to the position of sliding gear I3.

In order to disconnect the driving shaft and the driven shaft, pedal 55 is depressed against stop 58 which rotates cock 54. Chamber 4| is therefore separated from conduit 40 and connected with the atmosphere through orice 59. Clutch disks I8 and I5 are therefore free to move toward the right hand side of Fig. 1 under the action of springs and 44, but they are maintained in the middle of their stroke by lever 22 and rod 6| the length of which is chosen in such manner that both clutches are disengaged when pedal 55 is applied against stop 58.

A slot 62 is provided in the end of rod 6| so as to permit the free displacements of membrane 42 and lever 22 in order to let in one or the other of the clutches when pedal 55 is released and is applied against its stop 51 under the action of return spring 56.

In this gear box, the suction that exists in inlet pipe 33 plays the double part of a regulator acting on diaphragm 36 and of a servo-motor acting on membrane 42. As the suction is very low for some working conditions of the engine, it is necessary to provide a membrane 42 of considerable surface.

It may be advantageous that the suction should act only on regulating diaphragm 436, membrane 42 being subjected to the actionof an auxiliary suction container provided with a check valve.

Figs. 2 to 4 show some embodiments of controlling devices of that kind.

'Ihe gear box shown in Fig. 2 is analogous to that 'shown in Fig. 1. The lever 22 that controls the displacements of clutch disks |51|8l provided with an intermediate plate 90 is driven by a piston 421 which moves in a chamber 4|1 formed by walls 4|.0 and can be connected with a conduit 40. Said conduit 40 is connected, through a slide valve 3'I adapted to move in a cylinder 38 and a conduit 9|, with a reservoir 94 in which a suction is produced. To this effect, I connect said reservoir with the engine inlet pipe 33 through a conduit 95 provided with a check valve 96. When the suction thus produced ceases to be suftlcient, an exhaust pump 91 is brought into action, the controlling organs 98 and 99 of said pump being automatically started by a suitable and well known device (not shown in the drawings) on which acts, for instance the degree of suction in reservoir 94. The suction, transmitted through conduit 35 acts only on regulating diaphragm 36, which drives slide valve 31 in the manner above described.

In order to release the transmission, through a very slight effort of the driver, the ordinary clutch pedal 55 is caused to act, through a rod |05, on a system of coupled cocks 541 and 542. 'I'he first of said cocks is inserted in a tube 92 which can connect depression conduit 40, on the one hand and through passage 93 with a chamber 4I1, and on the other hand through passage |03 with a box |0| in which a slide valve |00 positively connected with piston 421 can move. Said box is also connected through tube |02 with conduit 40, and with the atmosphere through a tube |04 in which there is provided a cock 542. When the pedal is released (FigL 2), spring 56 brings cock 541 intol a position for which conduit 40 is connected, through F12- 93, with chamber 4|1, and through |02, with the box |0| of slide valve I 00. Furthermore cock 542 stops tube |04. The operation of piston 421 is then analogous to that of membrane 42 in the embodiment of Fig. 1 and it brings into play the same combinations oi.' gears as above mentioned, according to the positions of diaphragm 36 and slide valve 3'I.

In order to break the connection between the driving shaft and the driven shaft, the throttle pedal (not shown) is released and the clutch pedal 55 is depressed. The closing of throttle 34 brings to its maximum the suction existing in conduit 33 and diaphragm 36 is sucked in up` wardly, thus connecting conduit 40 with the reservoir 94. Pedal 55 closes cock 541 and opens cock 542. 'Ihe suction is no longerl directly transmitted through 92 and 93 to piston 421, but

it acts, through passages |02, IOI, |03, and 93,-

on said piston, which is sucked in toward the right hand side of the gure, driving slide valve |00 together with it. When piston 421 reaches the middle of its stroke, that is to say when it is Cil in a position for which both clutches |51|61 and |81|01 are disengaged, it stops because slide valve now stops the opening of conduit |03, which interrupts the action of the suction.

If, under the action of inertia or the action of the suction that still exists in chamber 4|1, piston 421 kept moving toward the right hand side of the figure, the chamber would be placed into communication with the atmosphere through passages 93. |03, 10|, and |04 and piston 421 would be brought back toward the left hand side of the figure by spring 44. Said piston therefore occupies a position of equilibrium for which the action of the suction balances the action of spring 44, said position being very near to the middle of the stroke of said piston. For this position of piston 421, the intermediate plate 90 of the clutches is also at the middle point of its stroke and both clutches are disengaged. When pedal 55 is released, both cocks 541 and 542 are brought back to their initial positions and normal operation again takes place.

In Fig. 3 I have shown a variation of this arrangement for which it is no longer necessary to have recourse to a special pedal (such as 55) for operating cocks 541 and 542. In this case the operation of the device is controlled through the throttle pedal 63 (provided with its return spring 65) when said pedal is close to its position that closes throttle valve 34. When pedal 63 is released, that is to say brought into contact with stop 09 by its spring |06, cock 541 is closed and cock 542 is open, which, as above explained, corresponds to full unclutching of the device. When pedal 63 is depressed, cock 541 is opened and cock 542 is closed during the first part of the displacement of the pedal, without throttle 34 being moved, owing to a slot 64 provided in the control rod 64 of said throttle. I thus bring into play the change speed gear as above explained and pedal 63 can control the position of throttle 34 in the usual way without modifying the position of cocks 541 and 542, owing to the interposition of a spring |06 between an arm |01, in-

tegral with pedal 63, and the rod that controls the cocks.

In Fig. 4 I have shown another embodiment of the arrangement according to Fig. 2, according to which full unclutching, obtained when piston 421 is in the middle of its stroke, is also ensured through throttle pedal 63, as in the case of Fig. 3. However, instead of connecting slide valve |00 directly to piston 421, there is provided between them a temporary connection. When throttle pedal 63 is depressed, a spring ||2 pulls, toward the right hand side of Fig. 4, a lever ||0 pivotally supported at its upper end against the action of a spring that is weaker, both of said springs being attached to said lever. Springs and ||2 are connected to lever ||0 at point ||01. Said lever is freely applied against operating lever 22 and therefore moves together with it. Slide valve |00 is connected with lever H0, and therefore follows the displacements of piston 421. Said slide valve |00 automatically stops the action of the suction, transmitted through conduits 40 and |3 when it occupies the mean position that corresponds to unclutching. On the contrary, when pedal 63 is released, spring ||2 is no longer stretched and spring brings lever ||0 back against stop IIB, whatever the position occupied by lever 22 and piston 421 may be. At `that time slide valve |00 occupies a position for which a communication is freely established between conduit 40 and chamber 4|1 so that piston 421 can move under the action of regulating diaphragm 36 (Fig. 2) and cause the working of one or the other of clutches |81|91 and ISL-|61.

Fig. 5 shows another embodiment in which the combination of two clutches is replaced by one clutch, for instance of the electro-magnetic type, and a free-wheel. Said arrangement does not allow full unclutching, the free wheel acting imperatively as soon as the clutch device proper is thrown out of action. It results that this arrangement necessitates the provision of a supplementary main clutch between the engine and the transmission device. The toothed wheels and pinions of the gear box are disposed in the same manner as in the embodiments of Figs. 1 and 2. However, in this case, intermediate shaft 3 is driven through an electro-magnetic clutch comprising a disk 3| provided with a return spring 32 and slidably keyed on said shaft 3. An annular induction coil 28 is provided on a plate I11 driven by driving shaft l. Coil 20 is fed by a source of electricity 48, through a circuit 41, a brush 29, and a conducting ring 30.

Between plate |11 and hollow shaft 6 there is provided a free wheel 21, which is intended to drive toothed wheel 1, while allowing the latter to revolve with a greater speed than plate |11. The operation is the same as'in the arrangement of Figs. 1 and 2. If sliding pinion I3 is brought, through the operation of hand lever V25, into mesh with toothed wheel 26 and if coil 28 is not energized, the motion of driving shaft I is transmitted in rst gear through free wheel 21, hollow shaft 6, and the pairs of wheels 1 8 and 26-|3. In order to change into second gear, coil 20 is energized and attracts disk 3|, the motion of driving shaft being transmitted in second gear through intermediate shaft 3, and the pairs of toothed wheels 4--8 and 2li-I3. change from second into third gear, pinion |3 is connected through its dogs to toothed wheel 4, the motion of driving shaft being transmitted in third gear through free wheel 21 and in fourth or top gear through the automatic clutching. It therefore suffices to energize the automatic clutch for producing the passing from first to second gear or the passing from third to fourth gear, and to cut olf the current for passing automatically from the second to the first gear or from the fourth to the third gear, owing to the action of the free wheel.

Main circuit breaker 46, provided in circuit 41, can be operated either manually, or, preferably, in an automatic manner, through a diaphragm device 36 analogous to that described with reference to Fig. 1.

When the suction in inlet pipe 33 is low, owing to a slackening of the speed of the engine, circuit 41 is broken at 46 because the diaphragm is driven in a downward direction by its spring 45. The electro-magnetic clutch is not energized and shaft 2 is driven through the free-wheel (nrst or third speed). If on the contrary the speed of revolution of the engine increases, or if the opening of throttle 34 is reduced, the suction sucks in diaphragm 36 in an upward direction and the contact is made at 46. Coil 28 is energized and the clutch drives shaft 2 in second or in fourth gear, according to the position given by the driver to pinion |3.

In order to avoid too sudden an attraction or clutch disk 3|, I may insert in circuit 41 a rheostat 49 working automatically and the lever 5| In order to 4 of which moves along contact studs 50 and is driven by a plunger cooperating with a coil 52, the displacements of said lever being braked by a dash pot 53.

The engine can run in free wheel owing to\ switches 31 and 65. Circuit breaker 61 is inserted in a shunt circuit 68 connecting the source of electricity. 48 to the feed circuit 41 beyond circuit breaker 88. It is controlled at will by the driver and makes it possible to run, optionally and permanently, on free wheel. Switch 65, placed in circuit 41 proper, occupies a position such that it opens automatically when the driver releases throttle pedal 63. When the driver depresses pedal 63, in order to act on rod 04, subjected to the action of its return spring and adapted to control the movements of throttle 34, he first (or simultaneously) obtains the closing of circuit breaker 65, which again closes normal circuit 41.

I have also shown in this Figure 5 the means through which the driver can modify at will the tension of springs 45 that opposes the upward displacements of regulating diaphragm 36. Said means may consist of a cam 101, which acts on the stop of said spring and which is controlled by the driver through operating means or hand lever 12 of the conventional design shown in the drawings. A similar cam 10, controlled by a rod 1| may be provided for the same purpose, in

order to modify the tension of spring 45 in accordance with the position of throttle pedal 63.

In Fig. 6 I have shown a four speed gear box comprising three pairs of gear wheels 1 9, 4-8 and |3-26 always in mesh, which makes it possible to obtain a progressive meshing for each of the gear combinations through three friction clutches lOl-|91, |51|61 and I52-IG, or the equivalent, and a free wheel 21. In the example shown I control the displacements of the clutch elements through pneumatic annular elements 221, 222, and 223 into which vI can send compressed air supplied by a reservoir 941 fed by means of a pump 91 actuated in any suitable manner, for instance through a cam 99.

Reservoir 941 is connected to pneumatic tubes 221, 222 and 223 through stationary conduits 22", 221 and 22 respectively, which open into annular passages with fluidtight rotary packings being provided in the organs that serve to maintain in position said pneumatic tubes.

In order to drive shaft 2 in rst gear, it suffices to place chamber 221 into communication with reservoir 941, which applies clutch |01| 91 through plate 90, the motion being transmitted through hollow shaft 6, the pairs of gear wheels 1-9 and 25|3, free wheel 21, hollow shaft 61 and casing |12, which is integral with said hollow shaft 61 and driven shaft 2.

In order to drive shaft 2 in second gear, plate 90 is moved toward the left hand side of Fig. 6 by lnflating pneumatic tube 222. The movement is transmitted through clutch disk |51, slidably keyed on intermediate shaft 3, pairs of gear wheels 4-8 and 20-|3, free wheel 21, hollow shaft 51 and casing |12. Y

In order to drive shaft 2 in third gear, clutch |31| 91 is brought into action by pushing plate 90 toward the right hand side by inflating pneumatic tube 221 and clutch |52||i2 which comprises for instance two disks is caused to operate, which makes intermediate shaft 3 integral with casing I12 and shaft 2. The motion is transmitted through hollow shaft 6, pairs of gear wheels 1-9 and 3-4, intermediate shaft I, clutch |5-|52, casing I1z and driven shaft 2.

In order to run in fourth gear, clutches |51-I01 and |511-I62 are both engaged by inflating air chambers 222 and 223 and the movement is transmitted with a direct drive, through fly-wheel intermediate shaft 3 and casing |12.

The distribution of compressed air into chambers 221, 222, and 223 can be eected either manually or preferably, as shown in the drawings, in an automatic manner, through the action of a slide valve |2| moving in a chamber |22 and thus establishes the necessary communications between conduit 401, which comes from reservoir 941, and conduits 22, 22h, and 22, which lead to said air chambers respectively.

Slide valve |2| is advantageously controlled by a centrifugal governor 20 driven by driven shaft 2. In the example shown in the drawings I have supposed that governor |20 is driven by a casing |12 adapted to move together with driven shaft 2 so that it can follow the variations of the speed of revolution of said shaft. Said governor can occupy four characteristic positions, to wit: (1) that for which it is at the bottom of its stroke and for which slide valve |2| establishes a communication through 3| between reservoir 941 and the conduit 2211 that leads to chamber 221 (first gear), the communications with the other` conduits 22b and 22c being stopped, so that when the engine is started and although driven shaft 2 is then stopped the vehicle is driven in first gear; (2) that for which operating lever |29 of the slide valve, with its return spring |36, is in contact with an elastic stop |21 and for which the reservoir is connected through |3| with conduit 221 (second gear), conduits 221I and 22b being stopped; (3) that for which lever |29 of the slide valve has overcome the tension of the spring of elastic stop |21 and is applied against a second elastic stop |28 placed behind the first one, connections being established, through |32 and |33, between reservoir 941 and conduits 22 and 22C, while conduit 22b is stopped, which corresponds to the third gear; and (4) that for which the lever |29 of the slide valve has overcome the tensions of the springs of both elastic stops |21 and |28 and is at the end of its stroke, connetcions being established, through |32 and |33 between reservoir 941 and conduits 221 and 22, while conduit 22a'is stopped, which corresponds to the fourth speed or direct drive.

In order to avoid that a reduced speed gear combination may be brought into action when, due to the closing of throttle 34, the whole power of the engine is not being used, I have provided supplementary controlling means adapted to modify the working conditions of centrifugal governor |20.

To this effect, I cause a diaphragm |30 provided in a chamber connected with inlet pipe 33 of the engine behind throttle 34 to act on lever |29 that controls the displacements of slide valve |2|. The effect of said diaphragm is so calculated that when throttle 34 is closed the suction may be sufficient for pulling upwardly lever |29, without any action of governor |20 and against the action of the springs of elastic stops |21 and 28. When the throttle is closed, the gear box therefore maintains the direct drive whatever be the speed of the vehicle at that moment. Running on another gear combination, under the control of governor |20, can only take place when the throttle is partly or wholly open, 'which reduces or eliminates the action of diaphragm |30 by the diminution of the degree of suction in conduit 33 that results therefrom.

In order to disconnect the driven shaft from the driving shaft, I control, through a pedal 55, a cock 54 provided in conduit 401. Said cock, under the action of the pedal, when the latter is depressed. separates reservoir 941 from the box |22 in which moves slide valve |2| and places said box in communication with the atmosphere through 59, which produces the simultaneous disengaging of all the clutches provided in the box, both in the case in which said clutches are controlled through pneumatic chambers and when they are controlled through compressed air pistons.

While I have disclosed what I deem to be practical and eicient embodiments of my invention, it should be well understood that I do not wish to be limited thereto as there might be changes made in the arrangement, disposition and form of the parts without departing from the principle of my invention as comprehended within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a motor vehicle including a change speed device, the combination of an operating lever for controlling said device, means responsive to variations in the suction of the engine for actuating said lever, means responsive to the same variations for controlling the first mentioned means, a clutch pedal, means operatively connected with said pedal for throwing the rst mentioned means out of action when said pedal is depressed, said means being provided with a certain play for allowing the working of the first mentioned means when the pedal is not depressed, and elastic means for bringing said lever into neutral position when said first mentioned means are thrown out of action.

2. In a motor vehicle including a'change speed device, an inlet pipe for the engine, and a throttle in said pipe, the combination of a lever for controlling said device, a vacuum reservoir, a diaphragm, elastic means for urging said diaphragm in one direction, a pipe connecting one face of said diaphragm with said inlet pipe after said throttle for urging said diaphragm in the opposite direction, a cylinder, a piston adapted to reciprocate in said cylinder and operatively connected with said lever, a conduit opening into said cylinder, and a slide valve operatively connected with said diaphragm for connecting said conduit either with said reservoir or With the atmosphere.

3. A combination according to claim 2 further comprising a cock inserted in said conduit, a derived circuit connecting said cylinder with a point of said conduit located beyond said cock, a slide valve positively connected with said piston and adapted to control said derived circuit, and a clutch pedal operatively connected with said cock for closing it when the pedal is depressed.

4. In a motor vehicle including a driving shaft and a driven shaft, the combination of a change speed mechanism including a plurality of clutches, pneumatic means for operating said clutches respectively, a reservoir of compressed air, distributing means for connecting said reservoir to said pneumatic means according to predetermined combinations, and a centrifugal governor operatively connected with one of said shafts for controlling said distributing means.

5. In a motor vehicle including a driving shaft, a driven shaft, an inlet pipe for the engine and a. throttle in said pipe, the combination of a change speed mechanism including a plurality of clutches, pneumatic means for operating said clutches respectively, a reservoir of compressed air, distributing means for connecting said reservoir with said pneumatic means according t0 predetermined combinations, a centrifugal governor operatively connected with one of said shafts for controlling said distributing means, and means responsive to variations of depression in said pipe for modifying the action of said centrifugal governor according to the position of the throttle, whereby a direct drive is maintained when the throttle is closed.

6. In a vehicle assembly, a motor including an induction pipe, a driving shaft, a driven shaft. groups of constant mesh gears each combined with progressive clutches operative to combine said shafts in any one of a plurality of speed ratios, a displaceable control member operating to separately actuate said progressive clutches to connect one of said constant mesh gears in driven relation to said driving and driven shafts, pneumatically actuated means connected to said control member, and means responsive to variations in the suction in said induction pipe tov control said pneumatically actuated means.

'7. In a vehicle assembly, a motor including an induction pipe, a driving shaft, a driven shaft, groups of constant mesh gears each combined with progressive clutches operative to combine said shafts in any one of a plurality of speed ratios, an angularly displaceable control member operative to separately actuate said progressive clutches to connect one of said constant mesh gears in driven relation to said driving and driven shafts, pneumatically actuated means connected to said control member, and means responsive to variations in the suction in said induction pipe,l to control said pneumatically actuated means.

8. In a vehicle assembly, a motor including an induction pipe, a driving shaft, a driven shaft, groups of constant mesh gears each combined with progressive clutches operative to combine said shafts in any one of a plurality of speed ratios, a longitudinally displaceable control member operative to separately actuate said progressive clutches to connect one of said constant mesh gears in driven relation to said driving and driven shafts, pneumatically actuated means connected to said control member, and means responsive to variations in the suction in said induction pipe to control said pneumatically actuated means.

9. In a motor vehicle including a driving shaft and a driven shaft, the combination of a change speed mechanism including a plurality of clutches, fluid pressure means for operating said clutches respectively, a reservoir containing fluid under pressure distributing means for connecting said reservoir to said fluid pressure means according to predetermined combinations, and a centrifugal governor operatively connected with one of said shafts for controlling said distributing means.

10. In a motor vehicle including a driving shaft, a driven shaft, an inlet pipe for the engine and a throttle in said pipe, the combination of a change speed mechanism including a plurality ofk clutches, fluid pressure means for operating said clutches respectively, a reservoir containing fluid under pressure, distributing means for connecting said reservoir with said fluid pressure means according to predetermined combinations, a centrifugal governor operatively connected with one of said shafts for controlling said distributing means, and means responsive to variations of suction in said pipe for modifying the action of said centrifugal governor according to the position of the throttle, whereby a direct drive is maintained when the throttle is closed.

11. In a vehicle assembly, a motor including an induction pipe, a driving shaft, a driven shaft, groups of constant mesh gears each combined with progressive clutches operative to combine said shafts in any one of a plurality of speed ratios, a displaceable control member operating to separately actuate said progressive clutches to connect one of said constant mesh gears in driven relation to said driving and driven shafts, fluid pressure actuated means connected to said control member, and means responsive to variations in the suction in said induction pipe to control said iiuid pressure actuated means.

12. In a vehicle assembly, a motor including an induction pipe, a driving shaft, a driven shaft,

groups of constant mesh gears each combined with progressive clutches operative to combine said shafts in any one of a plurality of speed ratios, an angularly displaceable control member operative to separately actuate said progressive clutches to connect one of said constant mesh gears in. driven relation to said drivingi and driven shafts, fluid pressure actuated means connected to said control member, and means responsive to variations in the suction in said induction pipe to control said fluid pressure actuated means.

13. In a vehicle assembly, a motor including an induction pipe, a driving shaft, a driven shaft, groups of constant mesh gears each combined with progressive clutches operative to combine said shafts in any one of a plurality of speed ratios, a longitudinally displaceable control member operative to separately actuate said progressive clutches to connect one of said constant mesh gears in driven relation to said driving and driven shafts, fluid pressure actuated means connected to said control member, and means responsive to variations in the suction in said induction pipe to control said uid pressure actuated means.

ALPHONSE FORICHON. 

